Why are unicorns back in fashion? 6 Minute English

Neil: Hello, and welcome to 6 Minute

English. I'm Neil.

Rob: And hello, I'm Rob.

Neil: Now, then, Rob, what do you

know about unicorns?

Rob: Ah, well, the unicorn is a

fantasy creature from history. In our

tradition it looks like

a white horse with a single

spiral horn coming out of its head.

Why do you ask?

Neil: Well, funnily enough, unicorns

are the topic of this programme.

Before we learn more

though, a question. What do we call

the study of legendary creatures

like the Loch Ness Monster,

Big Foot and unicorns? Is it:

a) Cryptozoology, b) Protozoology,

or c) Paleozoology?

Have you got any idea about that, Rob?

Rob: Ah, well, I know this because it was

the topic of a 6 Minute English

programme a while back, in 2008,

to be exact. So I think I'll keep

the answer to myself.

Neil: OK, well for everyone else, we'll

have the answer later

in the programme. Over the

last few years unicorns have been

popping up all over the place -

On T-shirts, in movies, as

toys and even in political conversations.

Why is this? Natalie Lawrence is a natural

historian. She appeared on the BBC's

Woman's Hour programme to discuss

the topic. Listen out for the answer

to this question: Why does she say people

used to drink out of unicorn horns?

Natalie Lawrence: Those original stories

were developed in a time when

magic actually existed

in the world. The world was still very

enchanted... the idea that the unicorn

is a very strong animal and also

that could achieve magical feats, so

unicorn horn used to be seen as

a panacea for all sorts of ills and a guard

against poison. So people used

to drink out of unicorn horn cups

to prevent themselves getting poisoned,

and I think that idea of

it being magical and having

magical powers has still

come through today.

Neil: Why did they drink from

unicorn horn cups?

Rob: Well, they were supposed to have

magical powers so people drank

from them so they wouldn't

get poisoned.

Neil: Yes, she said they could perform

magical feats. A feat is something

that is difficult to do or achieve -

like recording this programme

without making a mistake,

that's a real feat!

Rob: Well, we usually do it. It must

just be unicorn magic.

Neil: No, just the magic of editing, Rob!

Now, she also said that

unicorn horn was seen

as a panacea. What does that mean?

Rob: A panacea is another word for a cure

- something that can protect you

from illness or help you recover

if you are sick. But is all this true,

about the unicorn horn?

Neil: Well, seeing as how unicorns don't

and never have existed, it's unlikely

to be true.

She says these stories come from a time

when the world was enchanted.

This means it was a time when

people believed in magic and

the possibility of mysterious creatures

from mysterious parts of the world.

It seems as if these days people are

looking for a bit of magic, a bit

of enchantment in their lives.

The unicorn has also come to be

a term commonly used in

politics to refer to unrealistic ideas

and plans. Why is this?

Here's Natalie Lawrence again.

Natalie Lawrence: Because it's

such a potent cultural symbol at the

moment it's being deployed

in one of the most pressing issues of our

time, as well, so... and the idea of the UK

trying to be its own

special unicorn potentially...

Neil: So Rob what is she

talking about here?

Rob: Well, we are in a very complicated

time politically in the UK at the moment.

She says they are

pressing times. A term which means

something important but difficult has to

be done in a very short time.

A pressing matter is an important

one that has to be dealt with urgently.

Neil: Now, at the time of recording

our parliament can't agree

on the current pressing matter

of Brexit and each side says the other

has unicorns. There's nothing special

or magical about these unicorns -

it's a negative comment - a unicorn

is a fantasy idea - a plan that

has no chance of working,

Rob: She says unicorns are a potent

symbol - which means they are a very

strong and recognisable symbol.

Neil: And this symbol is being used, or as

she said being deployed. This is the same

word that would be used when you

send a military force somewhere.

You deploy the army in a

military conflict, and in the current

political conflict they are deploying

the word 'unicorn'!

Here's Natalie Lawrence again.

Natalie Lawrence: Because it's such

a potent cultural symbol at the moment

it's being deployed in one of the most

pressing issues of our time, as well, so...

and the idea of the UK

trying to be its own

special unicorn potentially...

Neil: Right, our pressing matter now is the

vocabulary review. Before that though, the

answer to this week's question:

What do we call the study of

legendary creatures like the

Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot

and unicorns. Is it:

a) Cryptozoology, b) Protozoology,

or c) Paleozoology? Rob, you knew the

answer to this, didn't you?

Rob: I did, yes. If you look back at

our archive to September 2008

you will find an episode

all about a) Cryptozoology.

Neil: Well done, if you got that right -

particularly if you remember that

programme! Now, vocabulary

from this programme. There was

enchanted to talk about a time

when magic was believed to be real.

Rob: A feat is something that is

very difficult to achieve and

a panacea is a cure.

Neil: Something that's potent is strong

and powerful and if you

deploy something, you

use it, you put it into operation.

Rob: And something pressing is urgent,

it needs to be done soon.

Neil: Right, that's it from us for now.

Hope you can join us again soon.

If you can't wait, you can find

bbclearningenglish on social media,

online and on our very own app.

Bye for now.

Rob: Bye bye!